BritainAmericans Advantages?? Disadvantage s ?? On the Eve of the Revolution

LoyalistStrongholds

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben].

Exports & Imports:

Military Strategies Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war  you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. The AmericansThe British Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Trenton (December, 1776) On Christmas Day in 1776, General George Washington crossed the Delaware River with 5,400 troops, hoping to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. The unconventional attack came after several months of substantial defeats for Washington’s army that had resulted in the loss of New York City and other strategic points in the region.

At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington’s army commenced its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached the New Jersey side of the Delaware just before dawn. The other two divisions, made up of some 3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to reach the meeting point at the appointed time. Washington Crosses the Delaware

At approximately 8 a.m. on the morning of December 26, Washington’s remaining force, separated into two columns, reached the outskirts of Trenton and descended on the unsuspecting Hessians. Trenton’s 1,400 Hessian defenders were groggy from the previous evening’s festivities and underestimated the Patriot threat after months of decisive British victories throughout New York. Trenton (December, 1776)

Washington’s men quickly overwhelmed the Germans’ defenses, and by 9:30 a.m. the town was surrounded. Although several hundred Hessians escaped, nearly 1,000 were captured at the cost of only four American lives. However, because most of Washington’s army had failed to cross the Delaware, he was without adequate artillery or men and was forced to withdraw from the town. Trenton (December, 1776)

The victory was not particularly significant from a strategic point of view, but news of Washington’s initiative raised the spirits of the American colonists, who previously feared that the Continental Army was incapable of victory. Trenton (December, 1776)

Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Title: “Washington crossing the Delaware: on the evening of Dec 25th, 1776, previous to the battle of Trenton” By: John B. Cameron Date: 1876 Question: The image, “Washington crossing the Delaware,” helps historians understand Washington’s role in the Battle of Trenton in Do you agree or disagree?Question: The image, “Washington crossing the Delaware,” helps historians understand Washington’s role in the Battle of Trenton in Do you agree or disagree?

Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War? A modern-day re-enactment

Saratoga American victory encouraged France to pledge its support for the United States in the Franco- American Alliance of 1778.American victory encouraged France to pledge its support for the United States in the Franco- American Alliance of A year later, Spain followed suit and also entered the war against Britain.A year later, Spain followed suit and also entered the war against Britain. –Spain, hoping to see Britain driven out of North America, had tacitly supported the Americans by providing them with munitions and supplies since the beginning of the war. –Their entry as combatants took pressure off the Americans, as Britain was forced to divert troops to fight the Spanish elsewhere. The Netherlands entered the war against Britain in 1780.The Netherlands entered the war against Britain in 1780.

Winter at Valley Forge, (1777 – 1778) See Documents 1 & 2

In spite of Washington's ability to do much during the hardship at Valley Forge, anti-Washington movements arose. Led by Brigadier General Thomas Conway, these soldiers worked "behind the curtains" to degrade Washington's reputation in hopes that this would enable Horatio Gates to replace George Washington as the commander of the Continental Army. This scheme is known today as the Conway Cabal. Winter at Valley Forge, (1777 – 1778) See Documents 3 & 4

Some members of the Continental Congress complained that Washington had left the surrounding countryside unprotected by moving into the isolated area of Valley Forge. Washington replied furiously: "I can assure those Gentlemen that it is a much easier and less distressing thing to draw remonstrances in a comfortable room by a good fire side than to occupy a cold bleak hill and sleep under frost and Snow without Cloaths or Blankets; however, although they seem to have little feeling for the naked, and distressed Soldier, I feel superabundantly for them, and from my Soul pity those miseries, [which], it is neither in my power to relieve or prevent." See Document 5

Although Washington repeatedly petitioned for relief and supplies, the Continental Congress was unable to provide it and the soldiers continued to suffer. Finally, on January 24, 1778, five Congressmen came to Valley Forge to examine the conditions of the Continental Army. Washington greeted them imperatively, "Something must be done. Important alterations must be made.” By the end of February, there were adequate supplies flowing throughout camp after Congress gave full support to monetarily funding the supply lines of the army, along with reorganizing the commissionary department, which controlled the gathering of the supplies for the army.

“Whenever the public gets dissatisfied with my service...I shall quit the helm...and retire to a private life." Washington Shuts Up His Critics

Britain’s “Southern Strategy” Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside. Good US General: Nathanial Greene

The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: Painted by John Trumbull, 1797 “The World Turned Upside Down!”

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783